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Despite early exit, Kuroda expected to make next start

Veteran forced to leave game vs. Orioles after calf bruised by line drive

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Kuroda exits with injury 1:37

5/22/13: Hiroki Kuroda is forced to exit the game with an apparent injury in the third, one inning after being hit by a comebacker

By Bryan Hoch
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MLB.com |

BALTIMORE -- Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda expects to make his next scheduled start despite being forced to exit in the third inning of Wednesday's game, a 6-3 loss to the Orioles, with a bruised right calf.

"It will depend on how I feel tomorrow, but for me, I'm going to make that start," Kuroda said through an interpreter.

The Yankees have not announced their upcoming rotation, but Kuroda's turn would likely come up on Tuesday, against the Mets at Citi Field. Manager Joe Girardi said that he would be "shocked" if Kuroda isn't able to take that turn.

"You get concerned, but it's all muscular," Girardi said. "That should heal. It'll be sore a little bit tomorrow and the next day, but that'll go away."

Kuroda was struck on the calf by a Manny Machado line drive in the second inning and received attention on the field by Girardi and head athletic trainer Steve Donohue.

"It didn't hit my bone area, so in that sense, it was good," Kuroda said.

After tossing several warmup pitches, Kuroda remained in the game and retired the next batter to end the inning, but his command appeared to be off when he returned in the third.

Adam Jones opened the third with a double to right field and Chris Davis followed with a single, sending Donohue and Girardi back to the mound. After a brief meeting, Kuroda was removed, having thrown 55 pitches (35 for strikes).

"When he said he couldn't push off like he normally does, that's a concern of mine," Girardi said.

Kuroda entered Wednesday's start with a 6-2 record and 1.99 ERA but was charged with five runs on eight hits in two-plus innings after Preston Claiborne surrendered a three-run homer to Matt Wieters immediately after coming on in relief.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.